Stretching Your Dollar

An Industry Insight feature with ENCOM

Cynthia Ramdial explains how mesh networking could transform how information is being delivered.

“With the use of high-speed broadband it is now possible to monitor even the most remote areas, 24/7”
-Cynthia Ramdial, ENCOM

Current economic, political and environmental factors are motivating North American governments and private industry to undergo a phase of restructuring. The challenges of constraints on time and budget weigh in heavily as they choose how to best utilize existing infrastructure while maintaining an acceptable level of service. It requires innovative thinking and extensive planning. The introduction of wireless mesh networks and broadband wireless technologies is revolutionizing how information is being delivered, and saving money at the same time.

Mesh network
Mesh networking is a particular way of routing between nodes; it allows for continuous connections and reconfiguration around broken or blocked paths by 'hopping' from node each other is known as a fully connected network. Mesh networks differ from other networks in that the component parts can all connect to each other via multiple hops. One of the most important characteristics of these kinds of networks is the fact that mesh networks are self-healing: the network can still operate even when a node breaks down or a connection goes down. As a result, a very reliable network is formed.

Potential benefits
Wireless mesh networks and broadband wireless technologies have recently become attractive to both municipal governments and the private sector due to their cost effectiveness, ease of installation and rapid deployment. They allow industry to do more with less by using their current static infrastructure and extending it to a flexible, connected environment. Advancements in wireless technology have established its reputation as an extremely secure, reliable and flexible form of communication. It is highly effective for rugged data transmission applications and has performed consistently without compromising throughput. Wireless broadband solutions are ideal for long distance bridging, high performance point-to-multipoint links and mesh networking. These systems can be used in an array of applications, such as video surveillance, controller interconnect, broadband Internet access, voice-over-IP (VoIP), public and municipal Wi-Fi access, or any wireless networks for video, voice and data. It is this inherent ability to remain stable in harsh conditions that has put radio, and, more specifically spread spectrum radios at the forefront of the wireless data communications.

Field-tested
The challenges of communication that must be met within the oil and gas industry are both difficult and distinct. Wired solutions are often impractical due to the high cost of installation and difficulties with terrain. This is where wireless mesh technology rises to the challenge and delivers reliability, flexibility and cost effectiveness. With the use of high-speed broadband it is now possible to monitor even the most remote areas, 24/7. This technology can be employed to prevent or contain potentially catastrophic events, such as fires and oil spills. Wireless networks, also allow supervisors to communicate with workers in the field with ease. They can contact each other via VoIP without concerns of interference, interruptions or security. 

Long-term gain
Overall, in these times of economic uncertainty it is natural to progress towards solid and steadfast investments. In the end, it all comes down to results. Wireless broadband has proven itself as a reliable and efficient mean of communication for projects of any scale. The bar has been raised; advancements in broadband mesh network technology, its cost effectiveness, ease of installation and rapid deployment support the growing momentum of this media in the oil and gas industry.

Cynthia Ramdial has recently joined the ENCOM team at the Marketing Co-ordinator.